Although Gavin Lux spent most of 2022 playing second base for the Los Angeles Dodgers, he just missed being ranked by MLB Network’s The Shredder as one of the top-10 shortstops going into the 2023 season.
Along with Lux, The Shredder also had Tommy Edman (St. Louis Cardinals), Trevor Story (Boston Red Sox), Brandon Crawford (San Francisco Giants), Jeremy Peña (Houston Astros) and J.P. Crawford (Seattle Mariners) among the players who just missed being ranked.
Former Dodgers shortstop Trea Turner, who signed a 13-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies this offseason, checked in as the No. 1 shortstop according to The Shredder. It’s the fifth time Turner has been ranked, and the first time he has taken the top spot.
Since 2020, Turner ranks first among current shortstops (minimum 800 plate appearances) in batting average (.316), slugging percentage (.514) and wRC+ (139), and second in on-base percentage (.364).
Minnesota Twins star Carlos Correa followed Turner in the No. 2 spot, with Xander Bogaerts (San Diego Padres), Corey Seager (Texas Rangers), Fransisco Lindor (New York Mets), Dansby Swanson (Chicago Cubs), Bo Bichette (Toronto Blue Jays), Willy Adames (Milwaukee Brewers), Tim Anderson (Chicago White Sox) and Wander Franco (Tampa Bay Rays) rounding out The Shredder rankings.
Of the MLB Network analysts, Mike Petriello, Sarah Langs and Vince Gennaro, none of them had Lux in their top 10, and all gave the top spot to Lindor. Both Petriello and Langs had Turner in the No. 2 spot, while Gennaro had him third.
Heading into the 2022 season, Fernando Tatís Jr. was ranked as the No. 1 shortstop, but with the Padres’ signing of Bogaerts, the 24-year-old who missed the entire 2022 season due to injuries and a suspension, was ranked as a right-fielder, where he checked in ninth overall.
Last season, Lux appeared in nine games at shortstop, and he made 59 appearances at the position in 2021, but he is now expected to take over as the starter following Turner’s departure.
Although there is some concern over whether Lux can handle playing shortstop on a full-time basis, mostly due to his throwing issues, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman is confident the 25-year-old will have no problems moving back to his natural position.
Lux finished the 2022 season batting .276/.346/.399 with 20 doubles, seven triples, six home runs, 42 RBI, a .328 wOBA and 113 wRC+.
Top-10 shortstops Right Now for 2023
| Rank | The Shredder | Mike Petriello | Sarah Langs | Vince Gennaro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trea Turner (Phillies) | Francisco Lindor (Mets) | Francisco Lindor (Mets) | Francisco Lindor (Mets) |
| 2 | Carlos Correa (Twins) | Trea Turner (Phillies) | Trea Turner (Phillies) | Xander Bogaerts (Padres) |
| 3 | Xander Bogaerts (Padres) | Carlos Correa (Twins) | Carlos Correa (Twins) | Trea Turner (Phillies) |
| 4 | Corey Seager (Rangers) | Corey Seager (Rangers) | Xander Bogaerts (Padres) | Carlos Correa (Twins) |
| 5 | Francisco Lindor (Mets) | Xander Bogaerts (Padres) | Corey Seager (Rangers) | Corey Seager (Rangers) |
| 6 | Dansby Swanson (Cubs) | Wander Franco (Rays) | Wander Franco (Rays) | Wander Franco (Rays) |
| 7 | Bo Bichette (Blue Jays) | Bo Bichette (Blue Jays) | Jeremy Peña (Astros) | Dansby Swanson (Cubs) |
| 8 | Willy Adames (Brewers) | Willy Adames (Brewers) | Bo Bichette (Blue Jays) | Willy Adames (Brewers) |
| 9 | Tim Anderson (White Sox) | Dansby Swanson (Cubs) | Dansby Swanson (Cubs) | Bo Bichette (Blue Jays) |
| 10 | Wander Franco (Rays) | Jeremy Peña (Astros) | Willy Adames (Brewers) | Jeremy Peña (Astros) |
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